News

INDIANAPOLIS, July 16, 2018 – The senior field for the 2018 GK U.S. Classic, scheduled for July 28 at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio, features several World, Olympic and U.S. champions and medalists. Among those expected to compete are reigning World all-around champion Morgan Hurd of Middletown, Del./First State Gymnastics, Olympic all-around champion Simone Biles of Spring, Texas/World Champions Centre, and U.S. all-around champion and 2016 Olympic alternate Ragan Smith of Lewisville, Texas/Texas Dreams Gymnastics, along with 2017 World vault and floor exercise silver-medalist Jade Carey of Phoenix, Ariz./Arizona Sunrays. The GK U.S. Classic is the last opportunity for female gymnasts to qualify for the 2018 U.S. Championships, the national championships for men’s and women’s gymnastics. Gymnasts who have already qualified to nationals use the GK U.S. Classic as a final tune-up for the U.S. Gymnastics Championships.

The Schottenstein Center, in partnership with the Greater Columbus Sports Commission, is playing host to two events. On Saturday, July 28, the GK U.S. Classic has athletes competing on the junior level at 1:30 p.m. ET and the senior level at 7:30 p.m. ET. The GK Hopes Championships, which features young, aspiring female gymnasts who are just below the elite level, is slated for July 27 at 2:30 p.m. ET.

Other members of the U.S. National Team who are registered to compete as seniors are listed below.

• Jordan Chiles of Vancouver, Wash./Naydenov Gymnastics, the all-around bronze medalist at the World Cup in Stuttgart, Germany; senior.
• Audrey Davis of Frisco, Texas/WOGA Gymnastics, sixth in the junior all-around at the 2017 U.S. Championships; junior national team competing as a senior.
• Kara Eaker of Grain Valley, Mo./Great American Gymnastics Express, 2017 U.S. junior balance beam champion; junior national team competing as a senior.
• Emma Malabuyo of Flower Mound, Texas/Texas Dreams Gymnastics, 2017 U.S. junior floor exercise champion; junior national team competing as a senior.
• Grace McCallum of Isanti, Minn./Twin City Twisters, 2018 Pacific Rim all-around champion; senior.
• Riley McCusker of Brielle, N.J./MG Elite, 2017 U.S. uneven bars champion; senior

2018 Pacific Rim and Junior Pan American Championships junior all-around champion Jordan Bowers of Lincoln, Neb./Solid Rock Gymnastics, headlines the junior field. The remaining junior national team members expected to compete are: Sydney Barros of Lewisville, Texas; Kayla DiCello of Boyds, Md./Hill’s Gymnastics; Sunisa Lee of St. Paul, Minn./Midwest Gymnastics Center; JaFree Scott of Independence, Mo./Great American Gymnastics Express; Tori Tatum of Chanhassen, Minn./Twin City Twisters; and Leanne Wong of Overland, Kansas/Great American Gymnastics Express.

2018 Hopes Classic all-around champions Ava San Jose of Chatsworth, Calif./Paramount Elite Gymnastics (10-11-year-old division) and Mya Witte of Greenacres, Fla./Genie’s Gymnastics (12-13-year-old division), headline the field for the GK Hopes Championships. The GK Hopes Championships has two age groups, 10-11 year-olds and 12-13 year-olds. The top 18 from each age group at the Hopes Classic qualify to the GK Hopes Championships, assuming each athlete achieves a minimum qualifying score. The GK Hopes Championships is the culmination of the Hopes season.

Single session tickets for the GK U.S. Classic on July 28 are $35-$45 for the junior session at 1:30 p.m. and $39-$59 for the senior session at 7:30 p.m. All times are Eastern and subject to change. The GK Hopes Championships takes place Friday, July 27, the day prior to the GK U.S. Classic, and tickets range from $20-$30. All-session ticket packages, which include admission to the junior and senior elite sessions along with the GK Hopes Championships, are still available and range from $79-$129. Ticket prices vary according to competition session and seat location. Ticket prices listed here do not include applicable service charges. Tickets may be purchased at the Box Office, ticketmaster.com or charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000.

GK Elite, a long-time partner of USA Gymnastics, recently became the title sponsor for the GK U.S. Classic and the GK Hopes Championships.

Columbus has held the 2012 and 2016 post-Olympic tour, as well as the 1992 U.S. Championships.

Background information

• GK – Elite Sportswear. Elite Sportswear is the combination of the worlds’ leading sports specialty apparel brands including, GK Gymnastics, Dreamlight Gymnastics, All Star Cheer, Omni Cheer and Dolfin Swimwear. Distributed in over 35 countries, Elite Sportswear products have been worn by Olympians and World champions for over 35 years. Employing over 500 people between two locations in Reading, Pa. and San Diego, Calif., Elite Sportswear continues its commitment to American-made quality and continuous innovation in designs with unprecedented fit, form and function. For more information about Elite Sportswear, visit www.gkelite.com.
• Schottenstein Center. Located on the campus of The Ohio State University, the Schottenstein Center is a 770,000 square-foot multipurpose venue. Home to the men’s ice hockey and men’s and women’s basketball Buckeyes, it is the largest arena in the Big Ten. Averaging over 1 million guests per year, the building has hosted The Rolling Stones, Ohio High School Athletic Association state championships in wrestling and girls and boys basketball, The Frozen Four and the McDonald’s All-American basketball game amongst a variety of sporting and special events. A nationally recognized sports and entertainment center, the Schott continues a tradition of making memories.
• Greater Columbus Sports Commission. Since 2002, the Greater Columbus Sports Commission has been a catalyst in transforming Columbus into one of the world’s best sports destinations, booking 427 new sporting events for the Columbus Region and generating an estimated $535 million in visitor spending. Our mission is to rally Columbus to compete and win sporting events, providing a singular athlete and fan experience and positively impacting our image, economy and lifestyle. For more information, visit columbussports.org.
• USA Gymnastics. Based in Indianapolis, USA Gymnastics is the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States. The organization is committed to creating a culture that empowers and supports its athletes and focuses on its highest priority, the safety and well-being of the athletes. USA Gymnastics has already taken specific, concrete steps to strengthen its safe sport policies and procedures. The organization’s disciplines include men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling, acrobatic gymnastics and gymnastics for all (formerly known as group gymnastics). For more complete information, log on to usagym.org.

Field for 2018 GK U.S. Classic
As of July 15, 2018
Alphabetical by state; level included

Arizona
Jade Carey, Phoenix, Ariz./Arizona Sunrays, senior

Arkansas
Chavala Shepard, Bentonville, Ark./Hopes and Dreams Gymnastics, Hopes 12-13

California
Ciena Alipio, San Jose, Calif./West Valley Gymnastics School, junior
Carsyn Coleman, Anaheim Hills, Calif./Precision Gymnastics, Hopes 10-11
Claire Dean, Oakland, Calif./Head Over Heels, junior
Levi Jung-Ruivivar, Woodland Hills, Calif./Paramount Elite Gymnastics, junior
Emily Lee, Los Gatos, Calif./West Valley Gymnastics School, senior
Myli Lew, Belmont, Calif./San Mateo Gymnastics, Hopes 10-11
Lillian Lewis, Dublin, Calif./San Mateo Gymnastics, junior
Kaliya Lincoln, Mountain House, Calif./Airborne Gymnastics Training Center, junior
Brenna Neault, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Precision Gymnastics, junior
Rafaela O’Neill, San Jose, Calif./Airborne Gymnastics Training Center, Hopes 10-11
Autumn Reingold, North Hills, Calif./Gymnastics Olympica USA, Hopes 10-11
Ava San Jose, Northridge, Calif./Paramount Elite Gymnastics, Hopes 10-11
Ui Soma, Belmont, Calif./San Mateo Gymnastics, junior
Tiana Sumanasekera, Pleasanton, Calif./San Mateo Gymnastics, Hopes 10-11
Mahleea Werline, Indio, Calif./Aftershock Gymnastics, Hopes 12-13
Madelyn Williams, Vacaville, Calif./San Mateo Gymnastics, senior

Colorado
CJ Keuneke, Denver, Colo./TIGAR, Hopes 12-13
Alyona Shchennikova, Evergreen, Colo./5280 Gymnastics, senior

Delaware
Love Birt, Camden, Del./First State Gymnastics, junior
Morgan Hurd, Middletown, Del./First State Gymnastics, senior

Florida
Rayna Light, Brandon, Fla./Golden City Gymnastics, Hopes 12-13
Mya Witte, Greenacres, Fla./Genie’s Gymnastics, Hopes 12-13
Kaela Yee, Miami, Fla./Leyva Gymnastics Academy, Hopes 10-11

Georgia
Delaney Fisher, Flowery Branch, Ga./Georgia Elite Gymnastics, junior
Ava Harper, Marietta, Ga./Georgia All-Stars Gymnastics, Hopes 12-13
Alonna Kratzer, Suwanee, Ga./Top Notch Training Center, junior
Amber Lowe, Kennesaw, Ga./Everest Gymnastics, Hopes 12-13

Illinois
Sydney Jelen, Algonquin, Ill./Legacy Elite Gymnastics LLC, Hopes 12-13

Indiana
Elizabeth Gantner, Indianapolis, Ind./Jaycie Phelps Athletic Center, junior

Iowa
Adeline Kenlin, Iowa City, Iowa/IGN, senior

Kansas
Leanne Wong, Overland Park, Kansas/Great American Gymn. Express, junior

Louisiana
Ella Parker, West Monroe, La./North East Texas Elite Gymnastics, Hopes 10-11

Massachusetts
Stephanie Berger, Groton, Mass./Brestyan’s American Gymnastics, senior
Lauren Pearl, Milford, Mass./Brestyan’s American Gymnastics, junior

Maryland
Kayla Di Cello, Boyds, Md./Hill’s Gymnastics, junior
Madeleine Johnston, Boyds, Md./Hill’s Gymnastics, senior
Sydney Morris, Bowie, Md./First State Gymnastics, junior

Minnesota
Sunisa Lee, St. Paul, Minn./Midwest Gymnastics Center, junior
Grace McCallum, Isanti, Minn./Twin City Twisters, senior
Lily Pederson, White Bear Lake, Minn./Flips Gymnastics LLC, Hopes 12-13
Lyden Saltness, Forest Lake, Minn./Midwest Gymnastics Center, junior
Tori Tatum, Chanhassen, Minn./Twin City Twisters, junior
Ella Zirbes, Stillwater, Minn./Flips Gymnastics LLC, Hopes 12-13

Mississippi
Savannah Goveia, Diamondhead, Miss./Everest Gymnastics, Hopes 12-13

Missouri
Kara Eaker, Grain Valley, Mo./Great American Gymnastics Express, senior
Aleah Finnegan, Lee’s Summit, Mo./Great American Gymnastics Express, junior
Alexis Jeffrey, Warrensburg, Mo./Great American Gymnastics Express, junior
JaFree Scott, Independence, Mo./Great American Gymnastics Express, junior
Clara Wallace, Lee’s Summit, Mo./Xtreme Gymnastics and Trampoline, Hopes 12-13

Nebraska
Jordan Bowers, Lincoln, Neb./Solid Rock Gymnastics, junior

Nevada
Kailin Chio, Henderson, Nev./Gymcats Gymnastics, junior
Trista Goodman, Henderson, Nev./Salcianu Elite Academy of Gymnastics, junior
Selena Harris, Henderson, Nev./Gymcats Gymnastics, junior

New Jersey
Kylee Bromley, Runnemede, N.J./First State Gymnastics, Hopes 10-11
Olivia Dunne, Hillsdale, N.J./Eastern National Academy of Paramus, senior
eMjae Frazier, Erial, N.J./Parkettes National Gymnastics Center, junior
Zoe Gravier, Holmdel, N.J./MG Elite, junior
Riley McCusker, Brielle, N.J./MG Elite, senior
Camryn Nelson, Marlton, N.J./Will-Moor School of Gymnastics, Hopes 10-11
Hezly Rivera, North Bergen, N.J./Eastern National Academy of Paramus, Hopes 10-11

New York
Skylar Draser, Huntington Station, N.Y./Infiniti Elite Gymnastics, Hopes 12-13
Olivia Greaves, Staten Island, N.Y./MG Elite, junior

North Carolina
Gabbie Gallentine, Iron Station, N.C./Everest Gymnastics, junior
Lauren Little, Mooresville, N.C./Everest Gymnastics, junior
Victoria Smirnov, Hickory, N.C./Shooting Stars Gymnastics, junior
Calvary Swaney, Gastonia, N.C./First in Flight, junior

Ohio
Shania Adams, Plain City, Ohio/Buckeye Gymnastics, senior
Shilese Jones, Westerville, Ohio/Future Gymnastics Academy, senior
Lilly Lippeatt, Mason, Ohio/Cincinnati Gymnastics, junior

Pennsylvania
Addison Fatta, Wrightsville, Pa./Prestige Gymnastics, junior
Lucy Tobia, Schnecksville, Pa./Parkettes National Gymnastics Center, Hopes 10-11

South Carolina
Maeve Hahn, Lake Wylie, S.C./First in Flight, junior

Texas
Sydney Barros, Lewisville, Texas/Texas Dreams Gymnastics, junior
Annie Beard, Coppell, Texas/Texas Dreams Gymnastics, junior
Baylie Belman, Allen, Texas/WOGA Gymnastics, Hopes 10-11
Simone Biles, Spring, Texas/World Champions Centre, senior
Skye Blakely, Frisco, Texas/WOGA Gymnastics, junior
Sloane Blakely, Frisco, Texas/WOGA Gymnastics, senior
Luisa Blanco, Little Elm, Texas/WOGA Gymnastics, senior
Sophia Butler, Houston, Texas/Discover Gymnastics Inc., junior
Audrey Davis, Frisco, Texas/WOGA Gymnastics, senior
Amari Drayton, Lakeway, Texas/Olympia Hills Gymnastics, junior
Karis German, Spring, Texas/World Champions Centre, junior
Jaylene Gilstrap, McKinney, Texas/Metroplex Gymnastics, senior
Hannah Hagle, Chireno, Texas/Texas East Gymnastics, junior
Riley Harris, Spring, Texas/World Champions Centre, Hopes 12-13
Olivia Hollingsworth, Seabrook, Texas/World Champions Centre, senior
Kaytlyn Johnson, Lantana, Texas/Denton Gymnastics Academy, junior
Kaitlynd Kastl, Forney, Texas/Metroplex Gymnastics, Hopes 10-11
Isabel Mabanta, Frisco, Texas/Denton Gymnastics Academy, senior
Emma Malabuyo, Flower Mound, Texas/Texas Dreams Gymnastics, senior
Mallory Marcheli, Richmond, Texas/Stars Gymnastics Training Center-Houston, junior
Zoey Molomo, Allen, Texas/Metroplex Gymnastics, Hopes 10-11
Michelle Pineda, Dallas, Texas/Metroplex Gymnastics, Hopes 10-11
Joscelyn Roberson, Texarkana, Texas/North East Texas Elite Gymnastics, Hopes 12-13
Katelyn Rosen, Boerne, Texas/Mavericks at Artemovs, junior
Ragan Smith, Lewisville, Texas/Texas Dreams Gymnastics, senior
Deanne Soza, Coppell, Texas/Texas Dreams Gymnastics, senior
Alicia Zhou, San Antonio, Texas/Love Gymnastics, Hopes 10-11

Utah
Lundyn Vandertoolen, Salt Lake City, Utah/Olympus Gymnastics, Hopes 12-13

Virginia
Sophia Dennis, Burke, Va./Capital Gymnastics National Training Center, Hopes 10-11
Abigail Scanlon, Sterling, Va./Capital Gymnastics National Training Center, junior
Jamison Sears, Yorktown, Va./World Class Gymnastics, Hopes 12-13
Ava Siegfeldt, Hampton, Va./World Class Gymnastics, junior
Jaelah Warner, Suffolk, Va./World Class Gymnastics, Hopes 12-13

Washington
Jordan Chiles, Vancouver, Wash./Naydenov Gymnastics Inc., senior

West Virginia
Konnor McClain, Cross Lanes, W.Va./Revolution Gymnastics, junior